Click through this slideshow to learn about Christmas traditions in Spanish-speaking countries.
Children anxiously await the arrival of the Viejito Pascuero (as Santa Claus is known in Chile). Chileans also attend the misa del gallo (literally “rooster’s mass”), a midnight mass offered on Christmas Eve.
Since Christmas falls in the hot summer in Chile, families often gather together for outdoor fun and sports, from surfing to rock climbing!
The blend of ancient Mayan culture with Spanish Christianity has created unique Christmas traditions in Guatemala, as in Mexico. Las Posadas (religious processions) pass through the streets in the nine days before Christmas, accompanied by drums and fireworks. Figures of Mary and Joseph are carried to selected houses, where a carol is sung asking for lodging.
Once the procession is over, it's time to feast! Street vendors sell a traditional fruit drink called ponche de frutas, made of bananas, papayas, pineapples, and apples.
In Spain, the 28th of December is El Día de los Inocentes (Innocents’ Day), something like a Spanish version of April Fool’s Day, when you can expect people to play unexpected pranks on you.
Spaniards celebrate New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) by eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes 12, a tradition known as las uvas de la suerte.
In Bolivia, people eat picada on December 24th, a tradition since the 19th century. This sweet and spicy meat and veggie soup is traditionally enjoyed after la misa de gallo and before late night processions in which participants parade a figure of baby Jesus through the streets of town.
In Paraguay, chicken or turkey is served up on Christmas Eve with kivevé, a traditional meal prepared from pumpkin (calabaza).
If you’re in Nicaragua around Christmas, don’t be surprised to see paella (a Valencian-style rice dish) on the dinner table. This Nicaraguan version of paella is a traditional meal in Central America on Christmas Eve.
Argentines plan a special meal for the evening of December 24th, on which everyone brings a different dish to contribute to the Christmas dinner. It’s also common to see live nativity scenes in churches around Argentina.
Let’s summarize the information that we have just read. Can you choose the correct answer to the following questions?
What is El Día de los Inocentes?
Sorry, this day doesn't exist.
¡Muy bien!
Which country does the Viejito Pascuero visit on Christmas day?
¡Muy bien!
Sorry, the Viejito Pascuero is from Chile.
What do they eat on New Year’s Eve in Spain?
Sorry, this is a tradition in Italy, not Spain.
¡Muy bien!
When do Bolivians eat their famous picada?
¡Muy bien!
Sorry, they eat it on Christmas Eve.
What is kivevé made of?
¡Muy bien!
Sorry, review the slideshow!
Where would you eat paella at Christmastime?
Sorry, the traditional Christmas dish in Paraguay is kivevé.
¡Muy bien!
You got # out of # correct. Click the Retry button for another attempt.
You got a perfect score. Great job!
